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Efexor ?
Hello, I've posted on here several times lately desperately seeking advice and been very grateful of the responses i've received. My situation was worsening and I had been stressing in a big way as a result of my over-reactions in certain situations. I was coming home crying and lost half a stone in 4wks. I was having panic attacks through 60mg of beta-blockers. In desperation, i went back to the docs today. He's now given me Efexor and is looking into CBT for me. I'm hoping this will stop my negative thoughts which kick off the blushing, hyper-ventilating, shaking etc.
What i was wondering, can you drink "any" alcohol. I know it says not to but its often when you don't have a drink that ppl start asking awkward questions especially around xmas. I've told friends etc. about my problem but do not want to mention it to work colleagues for fear of appearing weak -espeically as its not an environment that suits anxious people like me!!
Also, has anyone had any side effects. i took a citalopram and my lips swelled, and i kept geting involuntary movements and scratching. I'm yet to take my first efexor, but want to know what i have ahead of me.
Will I be able to function okay in the next few weeks without ppl noticing any jitteryness?
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Hi, I know your pain. I feel the same way. I'm struggling bad. All meds have been awful, including Effexor. It made me feel awful from that first dose of 37.5 mlg. But, I do know the meds will make you feel worse b4 better, but the worse is what I can't deal with. I got the tremors from that and dizzy and just felt plain out of. I know I have a very sensitive reaction from SSRI"s.. they bring on strange symptoms, I had the very same reaction from the Celexa(Citro).. but the worse that can happen is the same if not a worse feeling, but take w/ caution. You may just have sensitive reaction to the Serotonin which is more common thent these drs. care to admit. But maybe radar w/ help she's a better expert.
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Hi kd
I am presently trying to come off Venlafaxine and I think its giving me terrible symptoms. I feel awful. I am tingling all over but in particular my right side of my body, dizzy, nauseous, and I have felt particular itchy all over my body today also. Plus I have had a migraine for 5 days now also ( or I think its a migraine). I have only really been taking these tablets for 2 months and to be honest I didn't feel any affects until about 3-4 weeks. The first few weeks I also suffered terrible symptoms, they made me feel 10 times worse, in fact I couldn't eat or anything I was so worked up.
However, I have chosen to stop taking these pills myself just because I wan to try and take control of my anxiety myself..although I know this is going to be difficult. Once my pills started to work though, I felt good so they help when you need it. Dont worry about whether other people will notice anything strange about you because they wont. The majority of the time no one evers suspects someone is suffering panic attacks or anxiety becauase we tend to not show it and act normal to everyone else. Its only ourselves that know how we feel.
Take care
sadie
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Kd,
It's not advised to include alcohol but people do every day and they're totally fine. Your choice.
I used to have a G+T and then keep topped up with just tonic all evening. Not very exciting but kept the questions at bay.
Lots but not all people have symptoms when first starting a SSRI , it has to be got through before the ready brek feeling kicks in.
There may be a considerable wait for CBT, what are you doing in the meantime to actively help yourself ?
Meg
Watch your thoughts, they become your words...
Watch your words, they become your actions... Watch your actions, they become your habits... Watch your habits, they become your character... Watch your character, it becomes your destiny...
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Hiya KD
About the not drinking thing...I havent gotten drunk since this started 18 months ago. I have since had one baileys and about 3 glasses of wine ...so few i can still count them...lol
Its been my choice not to drink so each to their own but loads of people keep asking me why (including tonite a guy asked me if i wanted a double vodka to top off my orange juice).
The excuses ive given are that a) Im on a health kick, b) not in the mood or c) its funny being able to remember all the things drunk people do and be able to remind them about it later...lol, d)its too cold to take the bus so im driving. Dont feel pressured to drink if you dont fancy it, have a drink if you do... if in doubt LIE...lol
Love Sarah
xxx
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Thank you for all your replies. I'll start taking the effexor tomorrow. daren't just yet!
Radar - you asked what I'm doing to deal with my problems at the moment. I'm doing quite well, in that I'm sharing my problems with family and some friends. I'm taking beta blockers, however they are not too effective. I've half mentioned to my boss that I worry too much .... but not mentioned the full extent of my problems. The most rediculous thing that I'm having problems with at the moment is that i seem to have stupid reactions (panic attacks) whenever sexuality is mentioned -i'm on a new course and its mentioned all the time with discrimination issues etc. It would make it ten times easier if I was gay but I'm not. I've been single for many years now so in my mind i must be thinking that ppl think i'm gay cos i'm single; this has only just been an issue since starting the course, and only becomes an issue once again when its being discussed. This sounds so screwed up, and indeed it is. I think far too much, and always think people are judging me. I'm sitting waiting for "it" to be mentioned and waiting for the panic to start. Its like I'm in half panic mode in anticipation of it coming up. Its like when I'm in a shop I think ppl are watching me cos they think I'm going to steal something. So, i want to take the effexor to stop all these stupid negative thoughts about myself and so i can live life to the max instead of having stupid worries all the time.
I was too embarrassed to mention the full extent of this to my GP but have shared it with my family and friends which has made me feel better. And, thank goodness, they are not concerned that maybe there is an underlying issue -cos there's not. I'm just paranoid about anything and everything.
I've probably given too much detail there, but hope that people can understand the stupidness of it.
Also- can I take that bach remedy with effexor ?
thanks for support
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Hi all,
I've started efexor yesterday but they make me feel so strange.I feel shaky inside and it's not showing outside.
I yawn every 5 minutes and everything around me feels unreal like being in a dream. I feel really dizzy too. Lightheaded and tense in same time.
Has anyone had the same effects? Are those effects going to pass? Should I still carry on them?
Please reply, it would help me so much.
Lots of love.
Florence.
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kd,
yes,you can take bach rescue..it will probably help you..a few drops in a bottle of mineral water,and sip all day.
florence,
please read all the posts,and use the search facility at the top of the page...all these medications,seem to make you feel worse ,for a few weeks,before they kick in..well worth the wait....bryan.
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Both times I have taken Cipralex (SSRI) I felt awful for a week, didn't sleep, panicking, jittery inside but then the side effects stopped and they really help me. My advice would be to try them for at least a few weeks and if they are still not agreeing with you go back to the doctors.
Regarding drinking - I still do this and am fine, although today I have a hangover and am feeling panicky!
Emily
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Hi all
I am trying to reduce my dose of Efexor by taking one 75mg every 2nd day. Since ive started to do this I have been feeling kind of weird. I have had tingling down my limbs, face and in my mouth and a sore head. I was wondering wold it be best just to stop taking these pills altogether or will that just make things worse? Bryan has previously wrote that it take 8 weeks for medication to get our your system, does that mean I will feel like this for 8 weeks...I only took the pills properly for 8 weeks? Lastly, is coming off medication dangerous or what i mean to say are these symptoms dangerous?
I really wish I never started taking medication!!!
sadie
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Sadie
Has your doctor not given you a time plan to come off of them.
When I came off of Cipralex before I was on 10mg, I went down to 5mg for a couple of weeks and then 5mg every other day for a couple of weeks. As your dosage is higher I should think you'd have to come off it more slowly. You can get a lot of medications in liquid form to allow you to reduce them more slowly, your doctor should know about this.
The withdrawal symptoms arent dangerous they are just horrible but I have found can be avoided by doing it carefully and sensibly.
If you have only been taking them for 8 weeks you also have to think that maybe it is just the original problem showing itself....
Emily
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sadie,
i didnt mean it takes eight weeks for the drugs to clear the system,its the withdrawal symptoms that take the time.
if your still feeling rough,then phone your doctors surgery,and ask for a priority appointment.
hope you feel better soon...bryan.
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.... another problem I am experiencing is that i have almost totally lost my appetite. I prepare something, look at it, and just don't feel like it. Once the effexor has kicked in do you think I should get an appetite back. I've lost over half a stone in 5wks.
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Hi KD,
I can comment on losing weight. I lost stacks about 1.5 stone when I was acute in about a month, sadly for me, it all went back on soon enough when I learnt to calm down.
Lucky was concerned at the amount she lost too, we haven't heard about it recently so hope it's settled. I don't think she needed to lose it though.
I lived on just about hummus and crackers only for several weeks. Don't know how much to do with SSRI or just the massive energy needed to sustain anxiety and panic plus all the GI issues.
Meg
Watch your thoughts, they become your words...
Watch your words, they become your actions... Watch your actions, they become your habits... Watch your habits, they become your character... Watch your character, it becomes your destiny...
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Hi kd,
I took Efexor for anxiety and depression and it really helped me. Took it for over a year. I also lost my appetite, but think that was becasue I felt slightly nauseous. Had to remember to eat regularly to keep the blood sugar up. I also had no problems coming off it.
Let us know how you go.
Sara x
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Thanks for your good words Sarah. I'm on day two with my tablets and its certainly not as bad as I was with citalopram which I couldn't even get passed day 1. Last night i fell asleep at 8 and woke at 4.30 with racing thoughts but i didn't have the itchy skin or involuntary movements (twitchy legs, feet and waking up scratching). I was sick lastnight about 2hrs after taking it, so hoping that the tablet had absorbed beforehand because I can cope with those side effects, though i got an incredibly stiff neck and my pupils were huge. I'm just struggling to find food worth eating, I've been a big food lover and suddenly over the past 4wks its gone. At least I can fit into some of my old clothes!!
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I took my 2nd tablet about 3.5hrs ago, and I've got terrible neck ache and keep getting a sore jaw. Is this normal? I just feel all knotted up ???
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Hi KD
Your terrible neck ache and sore jaw will be through tension. Thats exactly what I get also. You shoulders will be sitting up tight and you will be tensing your jaw and probably crunching you teeth even though you wont realise your doing it. I do this in my sleep and get terrible tension headaches and earache etc because of it. I also have a really sore neck and have a very tender neck muscle which causes me a lot of pain. Try your best to relax and try not to worry too much about taking your medication. I did get some side affects at first when i started taking these pills but they do pass and make you feel good. I also lost my appetite for a little while but tried to eat soup or something light until it came back..and it does come back!! Take a nice relaxing bath and do some deep breathing and some stretches to loosen out your tight muscles and that should help.
Take care
sadie
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KD , getting a massage may make a huge difference to you at this time if the muscles are really taut.
Sadie has a good point about jaw crunching in your sleep and the pain that can result from it.
Take care, I know you're really struggling today but you are doing something to help yourself . Try to stick with it and allow it to work. If it's giving you sideeffects then something's going on inside and will do its best for you soon.
Meg
Watch your thoughts, they become your words...
Watch your words, they become your actions... Watch your actions, they become your habits... Watch your habits, they become your character... Watch your character, it becomes your destiny...
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Hi Radar
i am still trying to come off my exefor pills. I dont feel quite as bad as I did last week but I do still feel tingling done my arms and legs but not as bad and now i am getting really itchy all over. Is this a side effect?
I am taking 75mg every 3rd day now..do you think that will be ok?
sadie
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i think you should see your doctor to get a weaning off plan as I dont think this is the correct way to do it
I think you need to drop the dosage before you do the every other day thing, otherwise your body is getting confused as every third day you are having a big dose leaving you in a permanent state of side effects
When I withdrew from Cipralex I dropped the dose bit by bit to a very low dose and then did every other day.
Emily
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Thanks Emily,
I know youre probably right, but the doctor said there werent any lower dosages but surely there must be.. I will call tommorrow and tell them how I have been feeling. I start to feel better after not taking a tablet but today I took one and felt weird for a little while.
sadie
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I got this from the Effexor website
EFFEXOR XR can be prescribed in different dosage strengths (37.5 mg, 75 mg, and 150 mg). The usual starting dose is 75 mg, but only your doctor can tell you which dose is right for you and whether it will need to be adjusted over time.
The capsule can also be carefully opened and its contents sprinkled onto a spoonful of applesauce. This should be swallowed immediately and followed by drinking a glass of water. Do not chew this mixture before swallowing.
Emily
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Hi Emily
So do you think I should just open each capsule and sprinkle some onto some food (does it have to be applesauce?). What website did you find this information?
sadie
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I'd advise you to go and see a better doctor!
You can get lower strength capsules - and I dont know about the magic applesauce!
I looked on www.wyeth.com who make the product
Emily
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Thanks Emily,
Thanks for the advice..youre probably right I best go see the doctor and ask for lower dosage of pills. I never even thought about trying to find out if there were lower dosages of Exeffor..just goes to show 2 heads are definetly better than 1.
Will let you know how I get on.
Take care
sadie
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Hi all
As you may know, I am trying to stop taking my Exeffor tablets by reducing my dosage..although this doesnt seem to be working too well. I have tried to get an appointment with my GP but they all seem too far away. Anyway, I havent had a tablet since Tuesday, I was supposed to take one today but forgot. Should I take it now or is it too late at night?
Also I have tried to find out what the discontinuation symptoms are for this pill but cant find any information. My head feels weird, as though I am not quite all there (that may actually be true..!!). I feel my body jerks, I noticed this especially in my sleep, my mouth is dry and still tingling.
Should I just not take any more tablets or is this dangerous? Are the symptoms I am expereincing dangerous??
I feel really confused about my medication. I know I keep harping on about this but I dont really know what is for the best. This confusion is making me feel more anxious.
Can anyone help??
sadie
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Sadie
I would take it now - better late than never as they say!
Nicola
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hi sadie,
firstly,its not dangerous at all.
wot does it say on the bottle? ie,one to be taken in morning etc...if so,i would be inclined to forget about tonite,and see how you feel,in the morning.
have a glass of water at your bedside,so if you wake up,with a dry throat,you can take a sip.
if your still worried...phone NHS DIRECT..or in some places its called NHS24..they are registered nurses,and quite often have a doctor on duty..they will advise you,as its far easier explaining one 2 one on the phone,than on here..best wishes..bryan.
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Hi Bryan
My tablets say 'one to be taken daily'. I think I will just take them tommorrow as its a bit late now!! Sorry for keep going on and on about my medication but I never have been particularly good at taking pills!!
Anyway, just a small note to say, your messages on the humour page have had me in stitches over this last week, particularly the ones about your toaster and the Xmas Nopanic party!! Thats sounds like one for the diary.
No pressure or anything but keep it up, you may just cure us all with your funny stories.
sadie
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Hi.
I am now on day 6 of taking effexor and feel loads better. I think the initial 2 days are the most awful. I suppose it'll still take a few weeks to take effect. I did make the nmistake of drinking yesterday, and consuming quite a lot. i then remembered that i had to take my tablet (take them about 4.30pm each day) and half an hour after i could barely keep my eyes open. I suppose I shouldn't drink with them especially while my body is getting used to them.
Will my pupils always be dilated after taking a tablet. I look evil after taking one with big black eyes. or, is this just at the beginning ? I'm only onm 37.5mg for now, the doc is going to increase after 6 wks. Will my symptoms come back when the dosage is increased?
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Hi KD
Im glad that you are feeling better after taking your Efexor tablets. When I started taking mine they made me feel terrible for about 2 weeks but I did start with 75 mg..anyway any side affects do wear off and things seem a lot better. I think as you have started with a smaller dosage your system will be used to the medication and that you wont really experience any side effects..but maybe Radar can give you better advice on this one.
I have been trying to come off my tablets but seem to be struggling a bit with this. So, after suffering weird sensations throughout this week and several panic attacks, Ive decided to continue with the tablets until I visit my GP again and sort it all out. Plus I feel with Xmas coming up it may make me feel a bit calmer so I can properly enjoy the festivities.
With regards to you drinking on the tablets, I have too and felt ok. Are you not supposed to??
I also felt that my eyes were dilated too when I took the pills..maybe thats just what happens..I wouldn't worry too much about that and I bet that you dont look evil.
speak to you soon..
sadie
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Hi Sadie and KD
You are allowed to drink with anti-deps (as long as your doc doesnt tell you not to) but obviously as alcohol is a depressant you should take it easy.
I have never noticed my having dilated pupils though, I'm sure it'll pass and you dont look evil[}:)]
Sadie - I think it is a good idea to take your medication until you see the doctor and do it properly, they are strong drugs and you should try and manage them proplerly.
Emily
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Hi Emily
Yeah, youre right..I just wasnt feeling the best over these last few days, but seem to be feeling better now,thank god.
Anyway, I just wanted to ask..where do you all get these funny little faces from on your messages??
sadie
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Hi KD,
As the dose increases you may have transient side effects again but as Sadie says you've already got some drug in your system so it should be easier.
Meg
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do a reply to topic instead of quick reply and they are on the left.
come in to the chatroom[:p][:p]
Emily
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Would love too..but Ive tried a few times now and it keeps saying Ive been unsuccessful. I have tried to install the 'Java' thing but somehow it doesnt work..it must have something to do with my PC.
I'm going to ask my brother as he works with PC everyday..
Say hi to everyone for me
sadie
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Sadie
If you are using Internet Explorer then there will be an option that may need turning on that allows Java (I think !!)
Nicola
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Hi,
I'm now on day 12 with my tablets and feeling no more horrible side effects. Does this mean that they are starting to work. I feel more comfortable with things and not so panicky in situations. Though I've not found myself in the real anxiety inducing situations lately. They are still to come.
I've been breaking up my beta blockers and taking them about every 3 hours -maybe this is why I'm not feeling so bad.
Just feel a lot more postive at the moment and really pleased.
Is it the betablockers or could the drug be starting to work -or the combination. I'm not ready to take the betablockers away until I'm sure its working.
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not sure which drug is working more but the good news is you're feeling better so keep it up!:)
Emily